Running the Ropes: WWE Superstars All Shook Up!

Wow! And we thought the week before and after WrestleMania would be wild. WWE kept the thrill ride going this past week with the Superstar Shakeup. So, who ended up where? What else happened this week? Let’s break it down!

Braun Strowman Destroyed Roman Reigns

There is no way I can talk about anything else before covering this. Braun Strowman attacked Roman Reigns in the middle of an interview. He then tossed the Big Dog around the hallways backstage, pushed his stretcher off a loading dock, and then flipped over an ambulance. Just… watch this:

This has to be one of the most brutal WWE segments we’ve seen in a long time. It was perfect for both wrestlers, too. There is now no doubt in the viewers’ minds just how physically dominant and evil Strowman is. The sympathy for Roman Reigns, who is struggling to be accepted as a babyface now more than ever, is actually real. You just have to feel bad for him. Hang on, I need to watch this clip one more time before moving on.

A distraught Roman Reigns fan has started a petition to fire Braun, to which the Monster responded:

WWE Superstar Shakedown Results

The Miz and Maryse came over to the red brand, impersonating John Cena and Nikki Bella. They were very well-received, as the “it couple” are now bigger than ever. It’s gotten to the point where the Miz is really a legitimate heel and is finally appreciated by everyone as that legitimate heel.

Dean Ambrose brought over the Intercontinental Championship, Bray Wyatt brought the fear, and Alexa Bliss brought the spunk. With Bray still booked for his match against Randy Orton for the WWE Title, it seems as though RKO will retain his championship, which should stay on SmackDown Live. Or, is a title swap imminent?

Former Universal Champion and current US Title holder Kevin Owens led the exodus to the blue side. I’m definitely calling SmackDown Live the Kevin Owens Show now. He was followed by his long-time rival Sami Zayn, the Queen Charlotte Flair, and The New Day. Lana and Rusev, who is still recovering from injury for another 2-3 months or so, also came over.

So, while those are the most notable transfers, here are the full results.

Alberto El Patron’s Future

After leaving V.K. McMahon’s promotion, the former World Heavyweight Champion made the rounds in the indie scene before landing with Impact Wrestling. The 39-year-old has plenty of fight left in him, and he opened up about his future to Fightfulwrestling.com.

“Jeff Jarrett called me and said let’s do it. He said they were willing to do this for me and if that makes you happy then we would love to have you on board. We even did a gentleman’s agreement. He was like, ‘Do you want to do a contract just for a week so you can see what we are going to be doing’? I said, ‘No, let’s do it the way gentlemen do it. Let’s shake hands and I’ll go work for you. I will trust you. You know me and know I always deliver and what I bring to the table. I will do those four TV tapings and after those TV tapings we will sit down. If you don’t think my work is worth what I’m asking for then you say right there and I’ll give you a big discount’.

“But of course after those four TV tapings, they were completely happy with me not just because of what I bring to the table but what I bring to the ring but what I bring outside the ring with fans, sponsors, helping the talent backstage to do their job better. I made them happy and they made me happy. At the moment, we are closing the final details of what is going to be my contract. Then, I will be joining TNA for good and retire in the company.”

Final Round-Up

In other news, Finn Bálor was concussed in his match with Jinder Mahal after taking the mother of all stiff forearms to the face. He’ll be out for a bit. Again.

Also, David Otunga swapped with Byron Saxton during the shakeup, but will now be off TV while filming a movie. Replacing Otunga for the time being will be the great Booker T. Get ready for some fun commentary and possible PR problems!

Finally, Mauro Ranallo has officially left WWE, but that doesn’t mean the talented announcer’s career is done. He’s in Japan this weekend, calling a Rizin Fight Federation MMA event. There is some speculation that UFC might be in his future, but time will tell where we’ll hear “MAMA MIA!” next.

So, what did you marks think of this past week’s events? Also, which superstar transfer are you most excited about?